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In magnetically confined fusion plasmas, a gyrotron is an essential auxiliary heating device for generating and sustaining plasma through electron cyclotron resonance heating owing to its ability to generate high-power microwaves. Microwaves emitted from a gyrotron are often transmitted through waveguides, and the transmitted power is monitored by a power monitor with a multi-hole directional coupler at the miter bend of the transmission line. Recently, a high-power dual-frequency gyrotron has been installed and operated in the Large Helical Device. A power monitor with good sensitivity to multiple frequencies is required to monitor the power transmission of the different frequencies at the same transmission line. In order to realize the power monitor, which can couple with the multiple-frequency microwaves, we focused on a sub-waveguide shape in the power monitor and investigated the influence of the tapered sub-waveguide by conducting electromagnetic simulations using a simple model. We also performed the high-power test using a power monitor with a tapered sub-waveguide. The experimental result was different from the simulation, but enough receiving power was obtained at both 116 and 154 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study on electron energy loss spectra of polycrystalline strontium or barium perovskites with metallic conductivities. Experimental procedures; Results.

Presents information on a study which proved that GaInN alloy material can be obtained with fluctuation. Existence of a separation of absorption and emission band gap; Significance of pseudomorphic strain and piezoelectric properties; Elucidation of electronic band structure; Experimental details.

Presents information on a study which investigated the origin of ferromagnetism in manganese-aluminum multilayered films. Background on multilayered metal films; Experimental procedure; Results and discussion.

A controlled spine frame system consisting of an elastic moment frame, elastic spine frame and concentrated yielding elements is proposed to ensure continuous usability of buildings in the event of an earthquake exceeding the design level. Prior studies have documented the excellent performance of spine frame structures in preventing both the concentration of damage in soft stories as well as in providing self-centering. The current study develops a simplified design method based on equivalent dual multi-degree-of-freedom and single-degree-of-freedom representations, discussing the effects of damper yield drift, and stiffness ratios between the elastic moment frame, spine frame, and dampers on the structural response. This design method is validated with a parametric study and optimal ranges of the stiffness ratios are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several kinds of commercially available light emitting diodes (LED) and photo diodes (PD) were irradiated with 60Co gamma ray up to 1 MGy for development of a radiation-resistant in-water wireless transmission system using visible light. The lens parts of the LEDs turned brown by the irradiation and their colors became dark with the absorbed dose. The total luminous fluxes decreased with the absorbed dose and the LED with shorter emission wavelength had the higher decrease rate. Meanwhile, the current-voltage characteristics hardly changed. These results indicate that the decreases of the total luminous flux of the LEDs were mainly caused not by the degradation of the semiconductor parts but by the coloring of the lens parts by the irradiation. On the other hand, the light sensitivities of the PDs decreased with the absorbed dose. The PDs with the window part which turned a darker color had the higher decrease rate. These results indicate that the decreases of light sensitivities of the PDs were also mainly caused by the coloring of the resin parts by the irradiation. If the wireless transmission is performed using the candidate LED and PD between 5 meters in water, using a few LEDs and PDs, the PD’s output current generated by the emission light of the LED is estimated to be detectable even considering the effects of the absorption of the light in water and the increased dark current by the irradiation. Therefore, a radiation resistant in-water transmission system can be constructed using commercially available LEDs and PDs in principle. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

By combining atom probe tomography (APT) with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we have attempted to identify the stage at which solute clusters transform into compounds crystallographically distinct from the matrix, in the precipitation of the G-phase (Ni 16 Si 7 Mn 6 ) from ferrite solid solution subjected to isothermal annealing at 673 K. Based on a systematic analysis on the number density, size, composition and structure of solute clusters as a function of annealing time, the nucleation of the G-phase was found to occur via a two-step process: spontaneous growth of solute clusters first, followed by a structural change transforming into the G-phase. Moreover, the structural change was found to occur via another two-step process. There was a time lag between the end of cluster growth to become a critical size (mean diameter: ∼2.6 nm) and the start of the structural change. During the incubation period solute enrichment occurred inside the clusters without further size growth, indicating that the nucleation of the G-phase occurs at the critical size with a critical composition. Judging from the results of APT, TEM and the simulation of electron diffraction patterns, the critical composition was estimated to be Ni 16 Si 3.5 (Fe,Cr) 3.5 Mn 6 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in technology have made it possible to use loudspeakers to generate the perception in a listener of a "virtual" image of a source of sound that appears to be at a position other than that of the loudspeakers. This paper deals with the challenge of simultaneously generating the perception of the same virtual sound image at the ears of multiple listeners. The basis of the analysis is the so-called Optimal Source Distribution (OSD) that enables well-conditioned crosstalk cancellation at the ears of a single listener. This consists of a hypothetically continuous distribution of monopole acoustic strength which has a remarkable frequency independent radiation pattern. This directivity pattern enables crosstalk cancellation at a series of defined listener positions in the far field. However, in any practical application using current technology, the sources will be discrete loudspeaker elements. Previous work already shows the promise of this technique and the work described here aims to evaluate a number of methods for determining the strength of such discrete sources while still ensuring crosstalk cancellation at a number of listener positions. • The Optimal Source Distribution (OSD) delivers multiple listener crosstalk cancellation. • Solutions are presented for a discrete approximation to the continuous OSD. • Minimisation of the L 1 source strength norm has advantages over L 2 norm minimisation. • Minimisation of the deviation from the OSD sound field also yields viable solutions. • L 1 norm minimisation for a single listener gives equivalent results to the OSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which described the fabrication of V[sub3]Si multifilamentary superconductor with high overall J[subc] using a modified bronze process. Fabrication process for V[sub3]Si multifilamentary wires; Advantage of silicon bronze in reducing the bronze volume; Conclusions.

Examines the relationships between the magnetic properties and the film structure of manganese/aluminum multilayers. X-ray diffractions; Comparison between saturation magnetization and magnetic anisotropy; Difference of the magnetic anisotropy in the hysteresis curves.

Presents a study which investigated the correlation between the structure and the magnetic properties of manganese-aluminum multilayered films. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Deals with a study which investigated improvements in high-field superconducting performance of V[sub3]Ga by a two-stage reaction process. Preparation of the V[sub3]Ga specimens; Findings.

Discusses ferromagnetism at room temperature found in manganese (Mn)/carbon/silicon films prepared by sequential deposition. Information on the magnetic moment per ferromagnetic Mn atom; Method to determine the element which increases the saturation magnetization; Overview of the change in the saturation magnetization brought about by the annealing for the thin films.

Presents a study which reported the measurement of fundamental magnetic properties and the resulting magnetization structure of single-crystal films. Anisotropy of the films; Hysteresis loops of the thin-film sample; Ferromagnetic resonance of the films.

Le baricitinib (BARI) est un inhibiteur oral sélectif des Janus kinases (JAK)1/JAK2 indiqué dans le traitement de patients adultes atteints de polyarthrite rhumatoïde (PR) modérée à sévère. Nous rapportons le profil de tolérance de BARI sur une période allant jusqu'à 9,3 ans. Les données regroupées de 9 études randomisées (5 de phase 3, 3 de phase 2, 1 de phase 1b) et d'une étude d'extension à long terme (ELT) ont été évaluées. Les taux d'incidence (TI) pour 100 patients-années d'exposition (PAE) ont été calculés pour tous les patients traités avec ≥ 1 dose de BARI (ensemble d'analyse « BARI-PR-toute-dose »). Les événements indésirables (EI) d'intérêt ont été évalués par période sur des intervalles de traitement de 48 mois. Les événements cardiovasculaires majeurs (MACE) ont été adjugés dans 5 études de phase 3 et pendant l'ELT. Les TI pour les MACE ont également été évalués dans des sous-groupes de patients âgés de ≥ 50 ans présentant ≥ 1 facteur de risque cardiovasculaire. Pour tenir compte du vieillissement de la cohorte, un ratio standardisé d'incidence (RSI) pour les cancers (à l'exclusion du cancer cutané non mélanome) a été estimé à l'aide des taux de cancer de la population américaine de 2013–2017 du programme « Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 17 (SEER17) », et un ratio standardisé de mortalité (SMR) a été estimé à l'aide de la mortalité de la population américaine de 2019 calculée par rapport à la population américaine générale avec la même répartition par âge. Les TI ajustés en fonction de l'exposition pour la thrombose veineuse profonde (TVP), l'embolie pulmonaire (EP) et la TVP et/ou l'EP (TVP/EP) ont également été calculés pour les patients recevant BARI 2 mg ou BARI 4 mg dans la population d'analyse « BARI-PR-toute-dose ». Un total de 3770 patients ont reçu BARI représentant une exposition totale de 14 744,4 PAE, avec une durée d'exposition médiane et maximale de 4,6 et 9,3 ans. 80,5 % et 18,1 % des PAE ont reçu BARI 4 mg et BARI 2 mg, respectivement. Dans l'ensemble, les TI ajustés en fonction de l'exposition pour 100 PAE pour tout EI apparus sous traitement et tout EI grave (y compris les décès) étaient de 22,6 et 7,4, respectivement. Les TI sont restés stables dans le temps. Le TI des MACE pour les patients âgés de ≥ 50 ans était de 0,68. Chez les patients âgés de ≥ 50 ans présentant ≥ 1 facteur de risque cardiovasculaire, le TI des MACE était de 0,76. Le RSI pour les cancers (à l'exclusion du cancer cutané non mélanome) était de 1,1 et le SMR de 0,7, semblables à ceux de la population générale américaine. Les TI ajustés en fonction de l'exposition pour les patients recevant BARI 2 mg (PAE = 2678) et BARI 4 mg (PAE = 11 872) étaient de 0,41 sous BARI 2 mg et de 0,35 sous BARI 4 mg pour la TVP, de 0,26 sous BARI 2 mg et de 0,27 sous BARI 4 mg pour l'EP ; et de 0,49 sous BARI 2 mg et de 0,51 sous BARI 4 mg pour la TVP/EP. Dans ce rapport avec 14 774 PAE, BARI a maintenu un profil de tolérance similaire à celui rapporté précédemment [1–3] , sans augmentation des TI des EI pour une durée d'exposition maximale au traitement allant jusqu'à 9,3 ans. Présenté à l'ACR2021 Étude financée par Eli Lilly and Company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we revisit the augmented Lagrangian method for a class of nonsmooth convex optimization. We present the Lagrange optimality system of the augmented Lagrangian associated with the problems, and establish its connections with the standard optimality condition and the saddle point condition of the augmented Lagrangian, which provides a powerful tool for developing numerical algorithms: we derive a Lagrange–Newton algorithm for the nonsmooth convex optimization, and establish the nonsingularity of the Newton system and the local convergence of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recently, various controlled rocking systems have been proposed in seismic design to prevent damage concentration and to achieve self-centering against a wide range of input ground motion intensities. However, several obstacles must be overcome before these systems can be applied to actual buildings; for example, the requirement for large, self-centering post-tensioned strands and special treatment at uplift column bases must be addressed. This paper proposes a non-uplifting spine frame system with energy-dissipating members without post-tensioned strands, its self-centering function is achieved by envelope elastic-moment frames. The system is applied to an actual building constructed in Japan. Conventional shear damper and uplifting rocking systems with post-tensioned strands developed in prior studies are also applied to the same building structures, and the performances of the three systems, including damage distribution, energy dissipation, self-centering, robustness against severe earthquakes, and irregular stiffness, are compared and discussed through numerical simulations based on practical design criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of thermal aging of stainless steel weld-overlay claddings of nuclear reactor pressure vessels on the microstructure and hardness of the claddings were investigated using atom probe tomography and nanoindentation testing. The claddings were aged at 400°C for periods of 100-10,000 h. The fluctuation in Cr concentration in the d-ferrite phase, which was caused by spinodal decomposition, progressed rapidly after aging for 100 h, and gradually for aging durations greater than 1000 h. On the other hand, NiSiMn clusters, initially formed after aging for less than 1000 h, had the highest number density after aging for 2000 h, and coarsened after aging for 10,000 h. The hardness of the d-ferrite phase also increased rapidly for short period of aging, and saturated after aging for longer than 1000 h. This trend was similar to the observed Cr fluctuation concentration, but different from the trend seen in the formation of the NiSiMn clusters. These results strongly suggest that the primary factor responsible for the hardening of the d-ferrite phase owing to thermal aging is Cr spinodal decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructures and the hardness of stainless steel weld overlay cladding of reactor pressure vessels subjected to neutron irradiation at a dose of 7.2×1019 ncm−2 (E >1MeV) and a flux of 1.1×1013 ncm−2 s−1 at 290°C were investigated by atom probe tomography and by a nanoindentation technique. To isolate the effects of the neutron irradiation, we compared the results of the measurements of the neutron-irradiated samples with those from a sample aged at 300°C for a duration equivalent to that of the irradiation. The Cr concentration fluctuation was enhanced in the δ-ferrite phase of the irradiated sample. In addition, enhancement of the concentration fluctuation of Si, which was not observed in the aged sample, was observed. The hardening in the δ-ferrite phase occurred due to both irradiation and aging; however, the hardening of the irradiated sample was more than that expected from the Cr concentration fluctuation, which suggested that the Si concentration fluctuation and irradiation-induced defects were possible origins of the additional hardening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hypertension. TNF-α inhibitors improve clinical symptoms and inhibit joint destruction in RA, but their effect on blood pressure (BP) has not been fully investigated. We measured 24-h BP using an ambulatory BP monitor in 16 RA patients treated with a TNF-α inhibitor, infliximab, to investigate its influence on BP and its association with the regulatory factors of BP and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems. Infliximab significantly reduced the 24-h systolic BP (SBP) from 127.4±21.8 to 120.1±23.4 mm Hg (P<0.0001). Particularly, morning BP (0600-0800 h) decreased from 129.7±19.7 to 116.9±13.4 mm Hg (P<0.0001), and daytime BP decreased from 131.8±15.1 to 122.5±13.7 mm Hg (P<0.0001). Infliximab significantly reduced the plasma level of norepinephrine and plasma renin activity (PRA) (from 347.5±180.7 to 283.0±181.8 pg ml−1 and 2.6±2.7 to 2.1±2.9 ng ml−1 h−1, respectively) but did not significantly reduce the plasma levels of dopamine and epinephrine. The reduction in morning SBP correlated with the reduction in the norepinephrine level (P<0.05) but not with that in PRA and inflammatory parameters related to RA. This study shows the effect of infliximab on ambulatory BP, especially daytime BP, which may be partly accounted for by the reduction of sympathetic nerve activity after infliximab treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) epitaxial films grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using high-energy H2O generated by H2–O2 reactions on Pt nanoparticles were evaluated. High-energy ZnO precursors formed by the reaction between dimethylzinc gas molecules and H2O molecules were supplied to the substrate surface. The ZnO epitaxial films were grown directly on a-plane sapphire (a-Al2O3) substrates at 773K without any buffer layer. The electron mobility (μH) at room temperature increased from 30 to 190 cm2V−1 s−1 with increasing film thickness from 100nm to 2800nm. The μH increased significantly with decreasing temperature to approximately 100–150K, but it decreased at temperatures less than 100K for films thicker than 500nm. The μH of the ZnO film (189 cm2V−1 s−1) at 290K increased to 660 cm2V−1 s−1 at 100K. In contrast, μH hardly changed with temperature for films thinner than 500nm. According to a two-layer Hall-effect model, the μH and electron concentration of the upper layer were corrected based on the above results, assuming that the degenerate layer had a thickness of 100nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of interocclusal distance (IOD) on bite force and masseter electromyographic (EMG) activity during different isometric contraction tasks. Thirty-one healthy participants (14 women and 17 men, 21·2 ± 1·8 years) were recruited. Maximal Voluntary Occlusal Bite Force (MVOBF) between the first molars and masseter EMG activity during all the isometric-biting tasks were measured. The participants were asked to bite at submaximal levels of 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVOBF with the use of visual feedback. The thickness of the force transducer was set at 8, 12, 16 and 20 mm (= IOD), and sides were tested in random sequence. MVOBF was significantly higher at 8 mm compared with all other IODs ( P < 0·001). Only in women, IOD always had significant influence on the corresponding root-mean-square (RMS) value of EMG ( P < 0·011). When biting was performed on the ipsilateral side to the dominant hand, the working side consistently showed higher masseter EMG activity compared with the balancing side ( P < 0·020). On the contralateral side, there was no difference between the masseter EMG at any IODs. The results replicated the finding that higher occlusal forces can be generated between the first molars at shorter IODs. The new finding in this study was that an effect of hand dominance could be found on masseter muscle activity during isometric biting. This may suggest that there can be a general dominant side effect on human jaw muscles possibly reflecting differences in motor unit recruitment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructural changes in the stainless steel weld overlay cladding of reactor pressure vessels subjected to neutron irradiation with a fluence of 7.2×1023 nm−2 (E>1MeV) and a flux of 1.1×1017 nm−2 s−1 at 290°C were investigated by atom probe tomography. The results showed a difference in the microstructural changes that result from neutron irradiation and thermal aging. Neutron irradiation resulted in the slight progression of Cr spinodal decomposition and an increase in the fluctuation of the Si, Ni, and Mn concentrations in the ferrite phases, with formation of γ′-like clusters in the austenite phases. On the other hand, thermal aging resulted in the considerable progression of the Cr spinodal decomposition, formation of G-phases, and a decrease in the Si and an increase in the Ni and Mn concentration fluctuations at the matrix in the ferrite phases, without the microstructural changes in the austenite phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Merger processes play an important role in galaxy formation and evolution. To study the influence of merger processes on the evolution of dust properties and cosmic star formation rate, we investigate a local sample of major merger galaxies and a control sample of isolated galaxies using GALEX ultraviolet (UV) and Spitzer infrared (IR) images. Through a statistical study, we find that dust attenuation in merger galaxies is enhanced with respect to isolated galaxies. We find this enhancement is contributed mainly by spiral galaxies in spiral-spiral (S-S) pairs, and increases with the increasing stellar mass of a galaxy. Combining the IR and UV parts of star formation rates (SFRs), we then calculated the total SFRs and specific star formation rates (SSFRs).We find the SSFRs to be enhanced in merger galaxies. This enhancement depends on galaxy stellar mass and the companion's morphology, but depends little on whether the galaxy is a primary or secondary component or on the separation between two components. These results are consistent with a previous study based only on IR images. In addition, we investigate the nuclear contributions to SFRs. SFRs in paired galaxies are more concentrated in the central part of the galaxies than in isolate galaxies. Our studies of dust attenuation show that the nuclear parts of pairs most resemble ULIRGs. Including UV data in the present work not only provides reliable information on dust attenuation, but also refines analyses of SFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Buckling-Restrained Braces (BRBs) are commonly used as ductile bracing elements in seismic zones. Key limit states governing BRB design include preventing both flexural buckling and local buckling failures. In this study, the authors propose a strategy for the prevention of in-plane local buckling failure of a BRB whose restrainer is composed of a mortar in-filled circular or rectangular steel tube with various mortar thicknesses. Cyclic loading tests on BRBs possessing various mortar restrainers and circular tube thicknesses were carried out to investigate the effect of the mortar and the sectional shape of the restraint tube on the local buckling failure of buckling-restrained braces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of thermal aging on microstructural changes in stainless steel submerged arc weld-overlay cladding of reactor pressure vessels was investigated using atom probe tomography (APT). In as-received materials subjected to post-welding heat treatments (PWHTs), with a subsequent furnace cooling, a slight fluctuation of the Cr concentration was observed due to spinodal decomposition in the δ-ferrite phase but not in the austenitic phase. Thermal aging at 400°C for 10,000h caused not only an increase in the amplitude of spinodal decomposition but also the precipitation of G phases with composition ratios of Ni:Si:Mn=16:7:6 in the δ-ferrite phase. The degree of the spinodal decomposition in the submerged arc weld sample was similar to that in the electroslag weld one reported previously. We also observed a carbide on the γ-austenite and δ-ferrite interface. There were no Cr depleted zones around the carbide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of thermal aging on microstructural changes was investigated in stainless steel weld-overlay cladding composed of 90% austenite and 10% δ-ferrite phases using atom probe tomography (APT). In as-received materials subjected to cooling process after post-welding heat treatments (PWHT), a slight fluctuation of the Cr concentration was already observed due to spinodal decomposition in the ferrite phase but not in the austenitic phase. Thermal aging at 400°C for 10,000h caused not only an increase in the amplitude of spinodal decomposition but also the precipitation of G phases with composition ratios of Ni:Si:Mn=16:7:6 in the ferrite phase. The chemical compositions of M23C6 type carbides seemed to be formed at the austenite/ferrite interface were analyzed. The analyses of the magnitude of the spinodal decomposition and the hardness implied that the spinodal decomposition was the main cause of the hardening. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes two subjects, both aimed at the industrialization of Nb3Al conductors. One is the metastable solid-solution-strand restacking method, which is expected to be a low-cost Cu-stabilization method compared with the electroplating technique. In this paper, we mainly focus on recent efforts toward long-length production. The key point here is an improvement of the contact between the Cu tube and the restacked original strands. The second subject is the first attempt at “constant voltage” control in the continuous rapid-heating and quenching operation for 300-m-class precursor wire. With constant current control, changes in the diameter of the wire lead to variations in power per unit volume, so that the processing temperature changes. With constant voltage control, changes in diameter of the wire do not lead to changes in the power per unit volume, so that the processing temperature does not change and thus the uniformity of the longitudinal performance is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of fractured cross sections, which are frequently used to determine the grain size distribution in \ Nb3{\ {Sn}}, cannot be performed for \ Nb3{\ {Al}} since transgranular fracture is the dominant fracture mode. Instead, we have evaluated the grain size of \ Nb3{\ {Al}} using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). To check the validity of EBSD analysis for A15 grain structures, bronze-route \ Nb3{\ {Sn}} filaments were also examined by EBSD. The deformation-and-transformation of bcc supersaturated-solid solution \ Nb\ (Al)ss was found not only to homogenize and refine the grain size of the resultant \ Nb3{\ {Al}} but also to increase a ratio of high angle grain boundaries to low angle grain boundaries. The texture studies were made by pole figure works: the \ Nb\ (Al)ss retains a \langle 110\rangle fibrous texture as well as the filament barrier (Nb, Ta) does. The transformed \ Nb3{\ {Al}} also has the weak \langle 110\rangle fibrous texture, whereas \ Nb3{\ {Sn}} has almost never texture. A clear relationship between Jc and the inverse of grain size was not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In a previous sensor device based on a Pt|Sn0.9In0.1P2O7|Pt electrode system, electrochemical carbon oxidation was realized over the surface of a working electrode, enabling continuous carbon monitoring with self-regeneration of the sensor. Specific reactivity of the active oxygen species for carbon was demonstrated along with a high current efficiency. However, this reaction did not occur over the entire electrode layer, limiting the sensing properties and giving a low sensitivity and response speed. The main reason for carbon oxidation being limited to the surface region was the lack of proton conduction in the working electrode. To overcome this problem, we added proton-conducting Sn0.9In0.1P2O7 particles as an ionomer to the working electrode. The Sn0.9In0.1P2O7 ionomer was successfully distributed over the working electrode at the level of a few micrometers, providing reaction sites for carbon oxidation over the entire electrode layer. The resulting amperometric sensor provided a sensitivity to carbon that was 1.4 times greater than that of the ionomer-free working electrode, as determined by the current at which carbon oxidation had ceased. Moreover, carbon floating in a glass container could be transported to reaction sites present on the external surface of the working electrode, allowing for a large current and a rapid response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The correlation of microstructure evolution and hardening was studied in two kinds of A533B-1 steel with high and low levels of Cu irradiated in a range of dose from 0.32 to 9.9×1019 ncm−2 (E >1MeV) under a high flux of about 1.7×1013 ncm−2 s−1 using three-dimensional local electrode atom probe (3DAP), positron annihilation (PA) techniques, and Vickers microhardness. The early rapid hardening was found to be caused by mainly matrix defects such as mono- or di-vacancies (V 1 − V 2) and/or dislocations indicated by the PA analysis. The 3DAP analysis showed that dense dispersion of dilute Cu rich clusters and lean distribution of Mn–Ni–Si rich clusters, whichwereidentified to possess the same dislocation-pinning effectby applying a Russell and Brown model,were responsible for large and small hardening in high- and low-Cu steels irradiated above 0.59×1019 ncm2, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rapid heating, quenching and transformation (RHQT)-processed Nb3Al wires possess better strain tolerance than Nb3Sn wires. However, RHQT-processed Nb3Al wires so far developed show lower non-copper critical current density (Jc) than recently developed high-(Jc) Nb3Sn wires in the field range of 12-15 T. Therefore, the development of Nb3Al wires having enhancing Jc in this field range is a major concern for accelerator magnet designers. Among a number of fabrication parameters that might affect properties, we analysed the effect of thickness of Al and Nb foils in the jelly-roll-shaped filaments embedded in the precursor wires. Mechanical and superconducting properties of these wires with various Al-foil thicknesses in the filaments were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) are commonly used as bracing elements in seismic zones. A key limit state governing BRB design is to prevent flexural buckling. However, when the wall thickness of the steel tube restrainer is relatively small compared to the cross-section of the core plate, the restraint conditions against the local buckling of the core plate can be critical for the stability and strength of the BRB. In this study, cyclic loading tests and numerical analyses of BRBs were carried out using various tube restrainer configurations to investigate the influence of local buckling of the restrainer on BRB strength and ductility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have developed an ultrahigh-vacuum instrument for resonant diffraction experiments using polarized soft x rays in the energy range of hν=300–2000 eV at beamline BL17SU of SPring-8. The diffractometer consists of modified differentially pumped rotary feedthroughs for θ-2θ stages, a sample manipulator with motor-controlled x-y-z-, tilt (χ)-, and azimuth ([lowercase_phi_synonym])-axes, and a liquid helium flow-type cryostat for temperature dependent measurements between 30 and 300 K. Test results indicate that the diffractometer exhibits high reproducibility (better than 0.001°) for a Bragg reflection of α-quartz 100 at a photon energy of hν=1950 eV. Typical off- and on-resonance Bragg reflections in the energy range of 530–1950 eV could be measured using the apparatus. The results show that x-ray diffraction experiments with energy-, azimuth-, and incident photon polarization-dependence can be reliably measured using soft x rays in the energy range of ∼300–2000 eV. The facility can be used for resonant diffraction experiments across the L-edge of transition metals, M-edge of lanthanides, and up to the Si K-edge of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We found that the length of the Fermi arc decreases with increasing out-of-plane disorder by performing angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements in the superconducting state of optimally doped R=La and Eu samples of Bi2Sr2− x R x CuO y . Since out-of-plane disorder stabilizes the antinodal pseudogap as was shown in our previous study of the normal state, the present results indicate that this antinodal pseudogap persists into the superconducting state and decreases the Fermi arc length. We think that the shrinkage of the Fermi arc reduces the superfluid density, which explains the large suppression of the superconducting transition temperature when out-of-plane disorder is increased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the subtype of prejunctional muscarinic receptors associated with inhibition of acetylcholine (ACh) released from the mouse bladder. We measured endogenous ACh release in the bladder obtained from the wild-type mice and muscarinic 1–5 (M1–M5) receptor knockout (KO) mice. Electrical field stimulation increased ACh release in all bladder preparations obtained from wild-type and M1–M5 receptor KO mice. The amount of ACh released from M1–M3 and M5 receptor KO mice was equal to that in the wild-type mice. In contrast, the amount of electrical field stimulation–induced ACh release in M4 receptor KO mice was significantly larger than that in the wild-type mice, but the extent of increase was small. Atropine increased electrical field stimulation–induced ACh release to levels found in wild-type mice in all M1–M5 receptor KO mice. In M2/M4 receptor double KO mice, the amount of electrical field stimulation–induced ACh release was equivalent to that in the M4 receptor KO mice. The cholinergic component of electrical field stimulation–induced contraction (in the presence of α,β-methylene ATP) in the detrusor of M4 receptor KO mice was no different from that in the detrusor of wild-type mice. M4 receptor immunoreactivity was located between smooth muscle cells, colocalized with choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the prejunctional inhibitory muscarinic receptors are of the M4 and non-M2 receptor subtypes. The nature of the non-M2 receptors remains unknown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nb3Al has advantages of better tolerance to strain/stress and a higher critical magnetic field (30T at 4.2K) for stoichiometric composition over Nb3Sn. The rapid-heating, quenching and transformation annealing (RHQT) process enables to form a stoichiometric Nb3Al with fine grain structures via metastable bcc supersaturated-solid-solution. As a result a large critical current density of Nb3Al is achieved over the whole range of magnetic fields without trading off the excellent strain tolerance. A long-length of RHQ processing has been established, and a rectangular but Cu stabilized Nb3Al strand is about be commercially available for NMR uses. Ag or Cu internal stabilization and Cu ion-plating/electroplating techniques have been also developed to enable the stabilized round wire for accelerator and fusion magnets. Successfully energized test coils that were manufactured with a wind-and-react technique have demonstrated that a long piece of Cu stabilized RHQT Nb3Al wire is really available for practical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We attempted to reduce the matrix ratio down to 0.5 and 0.25 for RHQT (rapid-heating, quenching and transformation) Nb3 Al wires, which is directly related to improvement of the non-Cu Jc. The Ta matrix was chosen to improve the wire strength. It was found that the matrix ratio of 0.25 is too small to carry out RHQ treatment although drawing was possible by using cassette-roller dies (CRDs) as well as conical dies. The reduction of the matrix ratio down to 0.5 can also be achieved. However, the scale-up would make the drawing very difficult. It would be necessary for the scale-up to improve adhesion among the jelly-roll (JR) cores and also the outer Ta sheath in the multi-billet. The RHQ treatment was possible for the wire with a matrix ratio of 0.5. However, it was successful only when the wire diameter was less than 1.13 mm. It is necessary to suppress the experienced bend strain in the operation. The non-Cu Jc was found to be improved by about 20% by the reduction of the matrix ratio, compared to conventional Nb3Al wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authors investigated symptomatology of depressive state among workers in a 20-year study. A cohort of 167 men of a company in Japan, aged 18-40 years old at baseline in 1985 was researched as a study sample. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS) consisting of 6 somatic- and 14 psychological-symptom items. In a logistic regression analysis, sleep disturbance and fatigue, and total somatic-symptom scores were related to both future and long-term depressive state (all P < 0.05), after adjusting age and other variables. Although many unrecognized cases of depression exist, they may report somatic symptoms as potential depressive state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is used in gene-therapy studies, but its tissue distribution is unknown in natural infection. We examined cynomolgus AAVs (previously isolated AAV10 and AAV11 and novel AAVcy.7) for their tissue distribution in 14 cynomolgi by type-specific PCR. We found AAV10, AAV11, and AAVcy.7 in 6, 10, and 14 monkeys, respectively, and two or three types in 11 monkeys, showing that these AAVs are widespread in the monkeys. We detected AAV at a higher level mainly in the lymphatic tissues and ileum, which suggests that AAV may invade the host through Peyer’s patches in the ileum and infect immune cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS) was proposed in 2000. This new technique has been studied and proven to accelerate intense ion beams. To provide medium mass ions with highly charged states, small tabletop solid lasers were used for plasma production. Based on the measured plasma properties, aluminum and carbon ions were accelerated with more than 60 mA of current. The next experiments will use an radio frequency quadrupole designed for q/m=1/6 and explore beam productions using targets up to silver, and future work will explore production up to uranium. The DPIS has been established and is ready to be used with various accelerators which require pulsed high current, high charge state ion beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amplification and overexpression of the miR-17-92 microRNAs (miRNA) cluster at 13q31.3 has recently reported, with pointers to functional involvement in the development of B-cell lymphomas and lung cancers. In the present study, we show that inhibition of miR-17-5p and miR-20a with antisense oligonucleotides (ONs) can induce apoptosis selectively in lung cancer cells overexpressing miR-17-92, suggesting the possibility of ‘OncomiR addiction’ to expression of these miRNAs in a subset of lung cancers. In marked contrast, antisense ONs against miR-18a and miR-19a did not exhibit such inhibitory effects, whereas inhibition of miR-92-1 resulted in only modest reduction of cell growth, showing significant distinctions among miRNAs of the miR-17-92 cluster in terms of their roles in cancer cell growth. During the course of this study, we also found that enforced expression of a genomic region, termed C2, residing 3′ to miR-17-92 in the intron 3 of C13orf25 led to marked growth inhibition in association with double stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase activation. Finally, this study also revealed that the vast majority of C13orf25 transcripts are detected as Drosha-processed cleavage products on Northern blot analysis and that a novel polyadenylation site is present 3′ to the miR-17-92 cluster and 5′ to the C2 region. Taken together, the present findings contribute towards better understanding of the oncogenic roles of miR-17-92, which might ultimately lead to the future translation into clinical applications.Oncogene (2007) 26, 6099–6105; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210425; published online 26 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have been developing the Nb3Al conductors through transformation process, where the Nb3AL phase forms from the BCC (body-centered cubic) Nb(Al) supersaturated solid solution phase; the BCC phase is quenched by rapid-cooling from a temperature around 2000°C. It was reported several times that deformation to the quenched BCC Nb(AI) phase influences the superconducting properties, usually improving Jc. But, the results have not been discussed in detail so far from a metallurgical viewpoint. This work investigates the fundamental relationship between the BCC-deformation, transformation temperature, microstructure and superconducting properties. The transformation temperature is identified by DTA measurement, detecting the release of the free energy between the BCC and the Nb3Al phases. It was found that the transformation temperature has a tendency of monotonic decrease with the deformation. But, the transformation temperature does not seem to go down below a temperature of about 720°C even by strong deformation. The microstructures observed by FESEM suggests that the grain size is reduced almost proportionally with the deformation. In case of reduction in area of 99%, the grain size is reduced down to about 250 nm from 1.2 μm. The Jc increases with deformation, not showing a peak. The Jc of the wire (ME365) with reduction in area of 86% shows the best performance of the Nb3A1 wire ever reported. But, at least high-field Jc seems to saturate at a certain value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]